The atmosphere in the cave beside the tributary of the Sherna river which was about half a day’s travel to Lucua village was quite laid-back as its residents spent their day under the gentle afternoon sun, oblivious to the brewing tension in Elfast, the Elves’ Royal Capital.

“Wafuu~~” (Hafuu~~)

The big, blue Kobold leaned against a tree, limbs lazily spread out on the ground. Before, several young Kobolds would usually be found hanging around the gentle guy, but since they turned 6 months, they began to enter their rebellious phase, so we don’t see them playing within the settlement anymore.

Now that they have grown up to their full size and can walk on two legs, they have been wandering around the area with their peers and siblings and worrying their parents in turn.

In our pack, we are considered fully grown-up when we reach about 1 year and 2 months old and are expected to leave our parents’ lair and survive on our own when we pass the age of 2. Some who fail to leave are kicked out of their family dens and are given the cold treatment afterward, but they are still considered part of the pack…

By the way, my sister and I were also treated much the same way by our mother, but… I guess that’s just how it is. The law of the wild is pretty strict, after all.

When my eyes landed on Ax’s stomach, I saw a little fox napping on top of it. Needless to say, I knew it was my sister right away.

(… I don’t get what’s happening, but is she using him as a bed?)

Anyway, as I was thinking about some matters on hand, Stia emerged from the trees and I automatically put on the mask of telepathy which was becoming an indispensable item nowadays.

“This part of the woods is pretty nice, isn’t it♪ Although it’s a shame I can only explore around here.”

“Woaruu wafirua aooan.” [Well, you never know what’s lurking in the forest, after all.]

“I guess, you’re right. By the way, this little one has already sprouted. Here you go.”

She casually takes the seed of the World Tree from her chest and shows it to me. If you look closely at the top of the seed, which is about the size of an almond, you can see a white bud starting to sprout from the top, but…

(…I’m a bit hesitant about receiving something that was just taken out of that place…) 

“If you don’t want it, then I’d be happy to receive it.”

“Guu, waoann.” [No, I’ll take it, thank you.]

It was still faintly warm when I got it from her.

Well, the seed of the World Tree had always been warm anyway…

“Garuuguoaa woruaaan?” [Will this grow if I just bury it?]

“Yes, but it will take about a month to grow.”

Rather, how long does it take for it to grow in a mature tree anyway? The book that tricked the Steel Mage into believing said that it would reach the heavens once it germinates, but I guess that’s hogwash too.

“Wafion, varuoooa guruooruua?” [What do I need and how long will it take to mature?]

“It has already sprouted, so sprinkling it with some Porcelain mead at first should be alright… And because the World Tree has a lot of vitality, it will only take around 2 years to mature.”

If it’s going to take two years to mature, then it would be worthwhile to wait until we get back to the settlement by the Steele River and plant it, but… wait, Porcelain mead?

…. Common mead is a primitive kind of liquor and is made by diluting honey with water two to three times its amount and fermenting it for a little over a week at this time of year. Mixing honey and water alone does not guarantee that it would successfully ferment, so mixing a bit of breadcrumb would be good too.

She expressly added the word “Porcelain”, so I don’t think it’s that kind of mead…

“Garuoua vaauon?” [What is Porcelain mead?]

“It’s a liquor made with honey and water from the golden bees of the ancient forest and a bit of White Elf blood. It’s ceremonial, so we don’t add blood to it when we enjoy a normal drink…”

“U, ruan waiioaru guruoaaan…” [So, do we need to go to the Ancient Forest to make it…?]

It had already been three days since we arrived at the temporary cave shelter. Since the area of our original settlement has already been recognized as holy ground, then it should be safe to move back there, but… If we were to go to the Ancient Forest, then we would be heading in the opposite direction.

“Wau, gurua, garuaon? Guruuoaan, gururuaou garuguoua.” (Hey Chief, are you going out? If you’re going, then take me with you; I’m bored waiting in here.)

Buster, who heard our conversation approached us, Great Sword slung over his back.

“Wafu, gauruganviaruu vaa guruon.” [Yeah, I’m going to get some Golden Bee Honey.]

“Wafy!? Vaah! Guruuon.” (Eeeh!? Honey!? I wanna come too!)

“Kyuu~~!?” (Kyuu~~h!?)

Ax suddenly woke up when he heard the word “honey”, and my sister, who had been sleeping on top of his belly in her fox form, rolled and fell over… ah, her transformation came undone. 

“Vaa, kuruaan, juuruh.” (Honey is so tasty~ slurp)

You’re already looking happy and drooling with just the word ‘honey’… Are you a bear!?

And so, it was decided that along with Stia who would act as our guide and healer, the four of us, including Buster, who had been bored waiting when we went to the Royal Capital Selkram, and Ax, who was hooked on honey, Dagger, and I were to head to the Ancient Forest to harvest some honey. 

Meanwhile, in my absence, I placed Blazer and Lancer in charge and instructed them to lead the pack and return to our original settlement in the central part of Easteria forest first. Additionally, Knuckle was in charge of the floppy-eared Kobold group, while Smith was in charge of repairing the houses and the fields in the settlement.

(… Since we’re going all the way to the Ancient Forest, it might be nice to visit the Elven country too after we finish making the mead.)

(Now, I probably won’t get bored if I tag along with Chief.)

(I hope we can get enough honey for everyone too…)

With such a carefree atmosphere, we set out to our next destination.